#Becoming a travel writer full

When I was in college, I landed my first weekly travel column and, a year later while living in Europe, scored my first guidebook contract with Frommer’s.

#Becoming a travel writer full

It never really occurred to me, though, until I hit my early 20s that I could travel full time doing what I love, writing, and call it a career. By the age of 14, I knew I would major in journalism once I went to college, so I started out with gigs and internships at local newspapers. Is this what you wanted to do as a child? Did you end up in this job by “accident” or was it a planned career choice?Įver since I was two years old and dictated my first “book” (about Disney princesses, naturally) to my mother, I’ve said I wanted to be a writer. It’s the best of both worlds, I think: I spend a lot of time interacting with people in other parts of the the world, but I also get my quiet time, too. While on the road, there are always people around–whether other travel writers or tour guides helping me with a story or interviewees. It can be lonely at times, but that’s why my husband and I recently adopted a Maltese puppy–now I have a constant companion! I interact with my editors via e-mail, of course, but I go hours without speaking an audible word to anybody. When I’m not traveling, I spend most days alone in my home office. While on the road, my “average” day can consist of anything from mingling with sharks in the Bahamas to swimming in the Arctic Ocean in a bikini to gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

When I’m at home in San Francisco, I spend mornings in front of the computer pitching, researching and writing stories, and often afternoons and evenings meeting with visiting tourism officials or attending media events.

It varies by the day–that’s what I love about my job. What does an average day at work look like for you? I also take a lot of pictures–more as a hobby and a scrapbook of my travels than anything–and I also pen a personal travel blog on the side. I travel anywhere from five to seven months out of the year for a variety of guidebook, magazine and newspaper assignments. Travel writing - for many it may sound like a dream job, but it comes with its own challenges! Enter Kristin Luna, travel writer & truth-teller! She was kind enough to answer some of my questions about what it really means to be a travel writer, & you might be surprised at what you read!īy the way, her personal travel blog, Camels & Chocolate, is fantastic! I just had a big read through & love it, it’s very inspiring & it reminds me to do more travelling!